President Obama's Inauguration

[brian]

Be Change

Meditation teaches us to be of single mind and heart. This does not mean meditators do not engage in a wide variety of activities and have a wide variety of interests. Many do. It does mean that meditators learn to calm their bodies, focus their minds, and unite their being in the recitation of the mantra. The practice of mediation teaches us what it is like to bring our whole being to bear in one moment, how to be fully present in the moment.

Regular meditators sometimes experience a “breaking through” of pure being. It is not accompanied by visions, voices, or flashing lights, but arrives as a quiet and potent awareness. It often occurs while meditating, but sometimes visits us in life in a particularly vivid encounter. Yesterday, as I stood on the National Mall with hundreds of thousands of people to witness President Obama’s inauguration, this feeling was present. In his remarks, the President reached out to Americans by asking them to reach within themselves and call upon their inner resources to meet the challenges ahead. He bore witness that in order to make change in our world we have to be willing to change ourselves.

Millions of people across the United States participated in service projects on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a public holiday in the U.S. that happened to fall before Inauguration Day this year. This demonstrates that people who care enough to work for their ideals can still work in big and small ways to change their circumstances and alleviate the suffering of others. President Obama knows that what we need is not a call to arms, but a call to service. Americans will no doubt be looking within themselves for the inner resources necessary to move our county forward. The outcome of this personal task we take on as individuals will determine the success of the political tasks we face together. I am reminded of the words of Cesar Chavez in a speech he made highlighting the power of Dr. King’s nonviolent struggle for justice and social change: “If we fail to learn that each and every person can make a difference, then we will have betrayed Dr. King’s life’s work. The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. had more than just a dream, he had the love and faith to act.” So must we. We have to dig deep into our inner resources now more than ever to find solutions for the world’s ills. What is more, we have to take concrete steps to fight for change, to—as Jesus said—“set the earth on fire” (Lk 12:49). Spiritually aware men and women of all creeds or no creed can lead the way. No matter who or where you are, the time to act is now.

[leocorrea]

Hi Brian. I am a brazilian journalist and i saw, from here, the inauguration day, by TV. I agree with you that that was a historic moment... probably you and the people there felt like there was no time... the only thing that was important was that momento... that guy talking about change, about hope. Obama seems honest when talking. I hope he could really change many things. I wish all the best for your people. Greetings. PAX!